Show us your Frac

[Helen]

I have a few fracs 

Here's my latest addition, a Tak 100DC with an added FT focuser - I love it   I've been using it on a Giro III mount (which I got from @DRT) on HEQ5 legs, but given it is very lightweight that is overkill.  Pictured is it on its new GIRO WR mount which arrived today from Germany (a Christmas present, but the first attempt had to go back because of QC problems), on a Gitzo tripod.  I must admit that it is very smooth indeed when balanced and the combination is so much lighter all round - very happy 

 

My main imaging scope is also a frac a WO  FLT123, and I guide (or do wider field) with a WO Megrez 90 mounted on a Mesu (with a C11 for planetary, but we will whisper that!)

 

Then there is my nostalgia scope.... the Zeiss Telementor 60mm of precision

And a Megrez 72mm for solar (photo when the adapter returns) - although this will  be superceded by a little Borg 71 as a lighter weight option for the eclipse trip..

O for clear skies to use them 

Helen

 

[John]

You have some lovely instruments there Helen

The Feathertouch focuser looks wonderful on the Tak 100 !

 

[astro_al]

I will add my new(ish) arrival, although looking at Helen's collection it looks a bit lonely

I sold all my astro gear about 6 years ago and I promised myself that if I got the opportunity to get back into the hobby that I would buy something in between the TSA-102 and the FS-60. I think the FC-76 will be a great match for my local seeing conditions and observing preferences, I just need these clouds to depart at some point soon so I can put it to work.

[Helen]

9 minutes ago, astro_al said:

I will add my new(ish) arrival, although looking at Helen's collection it looks a bit lonely

I sold all my astro gear about 6 years ago and I promised myself that if I got the opportunity to get back into the hobby that I would buy something in between the TSA-102 and the FS-60. I think the FC-76 will be a great match for my local seeing conditions and observing preferences, I just need these clouds to depart at some point soon so I can put it to work.

That looks just lovely   and must be a joy to use!  

The tripod suits it so well too - I assume its a Berlebach, but if you don't mind me asking, which one and from where?

Helen

[mikeDnight]

2 hours ago, Helen said:

I have a few fracs 

Here's my latest addition, a Tak 100DC with an added FT focuser - I love it   I've been using it on a Giro III mount (which I got from @DRT) on HEQ5 legs, but given it is very lightweight that is overkill.  Pictured is it on its new GIRO WR mount which arrived today from Germany (a Christmas present, but the first attempt had to go back because of QC problems), on a Gitzo tripod.  I must admit that it is very smooth indeed when balanced and the combination is so much lighter all round - very happy 

 

My main imaging scope is also a frac a WO  FLT123, and I guide (or do wider field) with a WO Megrez 90 mounted on a Mesu (with a C11 for planetary, but we will whisper that!)

 

Then there is my nostalgia scope.... the Zeiss Telementor 60mm of precision

And a Megrez 72mm for solar (photo when the adapter returns) - although this will  be superceded by a little Borg 71 as a lighter weight option for the eclipse trip..

O for clear skies to use them 

Helen

 

?Schhhhhmidt cassegrain! ????

"I heard that!" ?

Edited February 20, 2017 by mikeDnight

[astro_al]

22 minutes ago, Helen said:

That looks just lovely   and must be a joy to use!  

The tripod suits it so well too - I assume its a Berlebach, but if you don't mind me asking, which one and from where?

Helen

Thank you!

Yes, it is a Berlebach Report 102. I purchased it direct from the Berlebach website, but have also purchased similar from Teleskop Express in the past. Both provided excellent customer service. For a while I thought I should have bought a more expensive Report version to give more height, but now I have the extension column I am happy with my purchase. The extension means that the scope can never hit the tripod, which I really like.

One recommendation, if you buy the tray direct from Berlebach at the same time as the tripod then don't go for the option for them to fit the brackets. They fit them higher than I have shown in the picture meaning that the tripod head is lower than it needs to be when the tray is attached. I ended up re-positioning the brackets and filling the holes  

[Chris]

I hope you guys enjoy those lovely Taks...what am I saying of course you will!   They sure are elegantly mounted too! 

[nicoscy]

5 hours ago, astro_al said:

Thank you!

Yes, it is a Berlebach Report 102. I purchased it direct from the Berlebach website, but have also purchased similar from Teleskop Express in the past. Both provided excellent customer service. For a while I thought I should have bought a more expensive Report version to give more height, but now I have the extension column I am happy with my purchase. The extension means that the scope can never hit the tripod, which I really like.

One recommendation, if you buy the tray direct from Berlebach at the same time as the tripod then don't go for the option for them to fit the brackets. They fit them higher than I have shown in the picture meaning that the tripod head is lower than it needs to be when the tray is attached. I ended up re-positioning the brackets and filling the holes  

Which extension is that by the way?

Love the scope - got the same myself

[Helen]

22 minutes ago, nicoscy said:

Which extension is that by the way?

Love the scope - got the same myself

The extension is http://www.apm-telescopes.de/en/mounts-tripods/accessories-tripods/extension-tube-elle-mount.html 

Very tempted myself ?

Helen

[nicoscy]

Was tempted till I saw the M10 connection

[astro_al]

5 hours ago, nicoscy said:

Was tempted till I saw the M10 connection

It is also available from Astrograph http://astrograph.net/epages/www_astrograph_net.sf/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/www_astrograph_net/Products/AGTECHP They have it listed as a 'dual thread' and I can confirm it works with my 3/8" mount.

[nicoscy]

And suddenly it is tempting again!

[Stub Mandrel]

2 hours ago, astro_al said:

They have it listed as a 'dual thread'

Cheap gear has 'sloppy fits' posh gear has 'dual threads'

[Robindavid]

[John]

1 hour ago, Robindavid said:

Lovely scope but a refractor ?????

[DaveS]

Right lads, get those pitchforks and torches, we've a warlock among us .

[Chris]

That blimming 200p has opened the flood gates!  Very nice RC though  Do we have a Show us your RC thread? I know there's one for Mak's and SCT's, maybe it can go there?

Edited February 21, 2017 by Chris Lock

[Stub Mandrel]

We need a 'show us your Quadrant' thread

[Chris]

4 hours ago, Stub Mandrel said:

We need a 'show us your Quadrant' thread

Is this the historical meaning as in Sextant? in which case do you have one? They have lenses so might pass as a frac 

[John]

Hastily grabbed group shot of my 4 fracs. Top to bottom, APM / TMB / LZOS 130mm F/9.2 triplet, Skywatcher ED120 ED doublet, Takahashi FC-100DL Fluorite doublet, Vixen ED102SS ED doublet. Perspective is slightly deceptive here but you get the general idea of respective sizes:

 

[Chris]

Wonderful John, back on track   Out the four I must say that there is something about the Tak that draws the eye!

[John]

8 minutes ago, Chris Lock said:

Wonderful John, back on track   Out the four I must say that there is something about the Tak that draws the eye!

Thanks Chris

The Tak seems pretty skinny and folks tend to think it's an 80mm or 90mm rather than a 100. The Vixen is a fattie by comparison, even more so with that outward flare at the back end of the dew shield. I feel that I've neglected the ED120 a bit of late but it's optics compare very well with the more exotic ones in the Tak and TMB / LZOS.

 

[Chris]

8 minutes ago, John said:

Thanks Chris

The Tak seems pretty skinny and folks tend to think it's an 80mm or 90mm rather than a 100. The Vixen is a fattie by comparison, even more so with that outward flare at the back end of the dew shield. I feel that I've neglected the ED120 a bit of late but it's optics compare very well with the more exotic ones in the Tak and TMB / LZOS.

 

Good to hear as a Synta ED100 owner, I guess it only becomes telling at really high mags. Nice to know you've got the best with the LZOS and Tak though   

Edited February 21, 2017 by Chris Lock

[AtmosFearIC]

A Tak FC100-DL on old HEQ5 and a 130mm Sky Rover F/5 Sextuplet on ASA DDM60

One is the perfect kinda grab and go while the other is a great imaging scope.

A few nights ago I grabbed this with a hour of Ha. Has one of my favourite regions, the Finger of God

The Sky Rover might be Chinese but they're making them pretty good these days. Much like the SW 100ED, fantastic for their price... not quite a DL though

Edited February 23, 2017 by AtmosFearIC

[DaveS]

I think TS also sells those 130mm f/5 astrographs, but after my experiences with their 80mm f/4.4 went for a 130 f/7 and changeable flattener or reducer.

Agree with the DDM60 though, awesome mount.